Benzís Bathurst blast

THEY might be banned from doing record runs at the Nurburgring, but manufacturers have found a new circuit to set unofficial lap records on Ė Mount Panorama. Mercedes-Benz has used its new AMG GT S hot-rod to set a benchmark time at Bathurst with a blistering lap of 2m24.03s. By comparison, a race-prepped V8 Supercar can lap The Mountain in about 2m07s. Mercedes star Bernd Schneider manhandled the $295,000 GT S, which was fitted with optional carbon-ceramic brakes and sticker Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber. You can watch the lap here: bit.ly/1U1zR2f